Cabinet Approves Construction of 6-Lane Greenfield Highway to Boost Connectivity in Maharashtra.
New Delhi:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of a 6-lane, access-controlled Greenfield highway connecting the JNPA Port (Pagote) to Chowk in Maharashtra. The new highway, spanning 29.219 kilometers, will be developed under the Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) mode at a total capital cost of Rs. 4,500.62 crore.
This critical infrastructure project is part of the government’s broader strategy to improve national highway connectivity and support the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan. It aims to enhance road infrastructure connecting major and minor ports across India, boosting logistics efficiency and regional economic growth. The JNPA Port has seen a surge in container traffic, and with the development of the Navi Mumbai International Airport, the need for a more efficient and direct highway connection has become urgent.
Currently, travel from JNPA Port to key highways like the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and NH-48 faces significant delays, with vehicles taking 2-3 hours due to congestion in urban areas such as Palaspe Phata, D-Point, Kalamboli junction, and Panvel. Traffic volumes in the region reach nearly 1.8 lakh PCU/day. With the operationalization of the Navi Mumbai Airport in 2025, the demand for improved connectivity is expected to rise further.
The newly approved highway will address these pressing connectivity challenges, offering smoother and faster access between JNPA Port, Navi Mumbai International Airport, and major highways. The project will also enhance the logistic efficiency of the region, facilitating better movement of goods.
Key features of the project include two tunnels passing through the Sahayadri hills, designed to eliminate the need for navigating the ghat section, which is often challenging for commercial vehicles. This will enable high-speed travel, particularly for large container trucks.
The highway will also link critical national highways, including NH-48 (Mumbai-Pune Highway) and NH-66 (Mumbai-Goa National Highway), ensuring seamless access to key transportation routes. The 6-lane greenfield project is expected to significantly improve port connectivity, foster economic development in the surrounding regions, and contribute to safer, more efficient freight movement.
The construction of this highway is expected to open new avenues for growth and prosperity in the rapidly developing areas of Mumbai and Pune, making a substantial contribution to the country’s infrastructure development.
